EP51: Chai for Charity: Doing BIG work and raising a family with Natasha Wright

I met today’s guest in an elevator and we’ve been friends ever
since.  It sounds absurd, and it’s completely true.  I
was immediately drawn to Natasha’s smile, big-heartedness, and
brilliance. She’s incredibly humble-  while working hard to
champion women’s success, support thriving leaders, champion
local non-profits, and raising three young children.


Through all of her work, both at Google and at Chai for Charity,
she creates community with a mission for the greater good. 
Natasha is truly playing big in life, while being very relatable
and honest.  There’s a nugget in here for everyone… about
how we show up in life in meaningful ways, moving forward despite
perfectionism, juggling family and work, creating community, and
more.


 


We talk about:


Expanding our definition of giving back: 4 categories of
contribution and donation

Women’s leadership development inside of Google

The Urdu word for “tea” and what it means about gathering,
comfort, and community

Her family’s immigration story from Pakistan and how it
informed who she is

Being the first in her family to go to college, and the
values her parents taught her

Juggling a full-time career, raising 3 boys, and starting a
non-profit

Engaging her husband and children in her vision of service

Struggling with perfectionism and how it can hold us back

THE 3 things that I want people to feel

Why it’s hard to ask for help



 


More about Natasha:


Natasha Wright is the Founder and Executive Director of Chai for
Charity, a nonprofit that connects private donors to charities
working to help women thrive locally. Natasha also manages
executive development programs at Google where she arms Google's
senior leaders with the tools to navigate ambiguity, and
confidently lead their teams through complex challenges.


She also leads Colorado's women@Google effort which offers
development opportunities, facilitates connections and builds a
community of professional women who empower and inspire each
other. Natasha has been with Google for 12 years, and previously
worked in the nonprofit affordable housing field in Los Angeles
where she also earned Sociology and Urban Planning degrees from
UCLA. She and her husband are raising 3 small men in Lafayette,
Colorado.


 


Connect with Natasha and her work:


www.chaiforcharity.org


On social @chaiforcharity


Resources mentioned:


SheEO